St1100 not turning over.

[Torrccc]

Due to a injury at work and long recovery my pan european was parked up and not drained down (as recommended when standing idle for any length of time).

Now that I am able to get back on her, she won't turn over, just clicks as the starter locks, the engine rocks when I put a socket and bar on the crankshaft bolt and I can feel piston movrment, the cams also rock. Any ideas before I end up stripping her down???. Thanks for your help.

[mikestrivens]

recharge battery

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

And whilst you're recharging the battery take the plugs out and check it's free to turn over a full cycle. A fluid lock can still show limited movement but hydraulically lock all the same.

[Mr Fro]

When you say it rocks do you mean you can turn it right over or that you can turn it a bit?

If it's the latter then you should remove the spark plugs then crank it over a few times just in case so fuel, oil or water have made it's way in to a cylinder.

[fastbob]

Could be loose muck in the starter motor , a strip and clean wouldn't go amiss.

[Grumpy Old Git]

Battery!

[Apriliabiker]

Carbs need cleaning ! But they need cleaning professionally

[Grumpy Old Git]

Carbs need cleaning ! But they need cleaning professionally

 

[Chrissb6]

First port of call, If the battery not been kept charged try and recharge it, but l would say it's odds on that you might need a new one. Then no matter what, drain off the old fuel and refill with some fresh. Do this before trying anything else.

Best of luck

[Lumor_uk]

Check battery drop on start, if it drops below 9v apparently it's buggered Took a long while to get my bike going after it had been stood almost a year, needed boosting to get the engine cranking over to spit out the old fuel. Yeah I know I should have drained it first.

[mikestrivens]

...old fuel. Yeah I know I should have drained it first.

 

You can use fuel stabiliser which keeps the fuel from going off for over a year.

I use this stuff in lawnmower, chain saw, motorbike, sports car in fact in anything I don't use for long periods and it works a treat:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JJHNAW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Torrccc]

Battery is spanking new and so is the petrol. Crankshaft will only rock giving approximately 5 millimetres oar movement on the pistons as viewed through the sparkplug hole.

[megawatt]

Remove plugs and spray WD40 around bores. Leave overnight, then try to turn over with a spanner. Repeat twice more with more wd40. Leaving for 24 hours between sprays. If it doesn't want to turn, apply more WD until it does.

[fastbob]

Remove plugs and spray WD40 around bores. Leave overnight, then try to turn over with a spanner. Repeat twice more with more wd40. Leaving for 24 hours between sprays. If it doesn't want to turn, apply more WD until it does.

 

Water dispersant ? I'd use some light oil thinned with petrol . But surely if there is a chance the rings are gummed or worse still , rusted , then firing the bike up will likely lead to more damage ? Better to bite the bullet and whip the barrels off .

[megawatt]

You use what works for you. I've used this method on numerous seized engines and it works.

[Guest]

You use what works for you. I've used this method on numerous seized engines and it works.

 

Not offering advice just asking a question, is diesel something that can be used for this? something tells me I've seen it somewhere but I have vivid dreams and am probably wrong.

[megawatt]

Yep, have used diesel as well, but found WD 40 best for unseizing, removing rust and moisture. I should add, though its obvious to me, that I also flush the engine and replace the oil.